2016–2017
SCHOOL
GROUPS
G U I D E B O O K
1300 S LAKE SHORE DRIVE · CHICAGO · 312.294.0364 · ADLERPLANETARIUM.ORG
PRICING
& PAYMENT
EXPLORE SPACE
WITH US
Sky Shows
Featured Exhibitions
Facilitated Programs
REGISTERING
YOUR SCHOOL
Registering a school group
Making changes or canceling your reservation
VISITING THE
PLANETARIUM
Bus parking
Arrival and check-in
Eating lunch
Coats and backpacks
Selecting chaperones
MAKING THE MOST
OF YOUR VISIT:
A guide for teachers and chaperones
Bus parking
Eating lunch
Chaperone responsibilities
Managing student behavior
PRICING & PAYMENT
SEPTEMBER 2016–JUNE 2017
To receive these special rates, register your group before the date of your visit. Please note that members added to the group
on the day of the visit and school groups arriving without a prepaid reservation will be charged at standard retail rates.
All admissions (including additions to registered groups) are based on availability.
GENERAL
ADMISSION
FIRST SHOW
EACH ADDITIONAL
SHOW
Illinois School
Student
Free
$7.00
$3.00
Illinois School Chaperone
(with ratio of 1:7 or lower)
Free
Free
Free
Out-of-State School
Student
$6.50
$7.00
$3.00
Out-of-State School
Adult
$10.50
$7.00
$3.00
Any increases in group numbers not made prior to visit date will be charged at retail rates.
PAYMENT
Payment is due no later than 14 days before your visit date. If it has not been received your reservation will be canceled.
PLEASE SEND PAYMENT TO:
Adler Planetarium
Attention: Reservations Department
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
Or call 312-294-0364 for credit card payment
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
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EXPLORE SPACE WITH US!
At the Adler, your group will enjoy hands-on, minds-on activities and explore mind-blowing facts about the Universe that will stick
with them long after they’ve left the museum. With three theaters, a selection of staff-facilitated activities, and 60,000 square
feet of exhibitions, the Adler casts visitors in the role of scientist, engineer, astronaut, and creative problem solver.
SKY SHOWS
For the best experience, we recommend checking in at the theater at least 10 minutes before the
show begins. There is no late seating.
Planet Nine
NEW
Location: Grainger Sky Theater
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 4–12
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
ESS1.B, 3-5-ETS1, MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ETS1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-4, HS-ETS1
Something big is out there. Follow “Pluto-Killer” Mike Brown and his team of scientists at CalTech as
they hunt for a new ninth planet that may be hiding in plain sight.
Destination Solar System
Location: Grainger Sky Theater
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 2–6
NGSS: ESS1.A, ESS1.B, MS-ESS1-3
Fly into the future with Destination Solar System, a live show that takes explorers on a tour of the Solar
System! Tours to the hottest spots and the coldest, most spectacular sights, launch daily.
Cosmic Wonder
Location: Definiti Space Theater
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 6–12
NGSS: ESS1.A, MS-ETS1, MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-4, HS-ETS1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3
Presented as a live show, Cosmic Wonder tells the compelling story of how, through time, we have
pieced together an understanding of the cosmos, inviting audiences to ask questions and help
scientists unlock modern mysteries of the unknown.
Skywatch Live!
Location: Definiti Space Theater
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 4–12
NGSS: ESS1.A, ESS1.B, ESS3.C, 5-ESS1, MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-3, HS-ESS1-4
Explore the spectacular sights of the night sky in this live planetarium show. Skywatch Live! uses the
power of real-time digital graphics technology to create an accurate scientific simulation of tonight’s sky.
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
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One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure*
Location: Definiti Space Theater
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: PreK–1
NGSS: ESS1.A, ESS1.B, ESS3.A, 1-ESS1-1
Explore the night sky with your favorite friends from Sesame Street! Follow Big Bird, Elmo, and their
friend Hu Hu Zhu as they learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun, and the Moon.
*Available Mondays and Tuesdays only.
ASSISTED LISTENING
Closed captioning of narration at Adler sky shows (except for Skywatch Live!) is available for guests
who are deaf or hearing impaired via their personal mobile devices. To access captioning, visit
adlercaps.org. Assistance with this service is available at the box offices or in theaters.
The Adler also provides assistive listening devices for guests that may need support hearing
shows and presentations in all three theaters. Groups should contact the Reservations Office at
registration or no later than one week prior to their visit to make arrangements.
FEATURED EXHIBITIONS
Mission Moon
Launch a stomp rocket, race against the clock to save the crew of Apollo 13, look inside the Gemini
12 spacecraft, and take a very personal journey into space with NASA’S Captain James A. Lovell, Jr. In
Mission Moon, you’ll find out how the United States became the first nation to put a man on the Moon,
what it’s really like to be an astronaut, and why it takes a team to explore uncharted worlds.
Community Design Lab
(Open daily 10 am – 1 hour before museum closing)
What can you create with more than 600 ounces of marshmallows, 10,000 popsicle sticks, 12,000 yards
of duct tape, 120 ounces of shaving cream, and a steady supply of bubble wrap and cardboard? Find out
in the Community Design Lab. A facilitator will be stationed nearby, but you won’t find instructions or
kits in the CDL—it is a creative space where visitors are encouraged to design and test their own ideas.
Planet Explorers
(PreK through 3rd grade)
Adventure from Earth through space to the imaginary Planet X without ever leaving the planetarium.
Planet Explorers consists of three different play areas: Exploring Earth, which includes backyard
stargazing; Exploring Space, which includes Mission Control, a rocket, and a space station; and
Exploring Planet X, which includes the Planet X Research Station. Advance reservations are required.
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
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FACILITATED PROGRAMS
There’s no need to make additional reservations for these drop-in programs. They’re free and
included in your group’s visit! Check the day’s activity schedule for availability when you arrive.
Zoom In (Tuesday–Friday in the Curiosity Station)
Zoom In lets students explore a variety of space topics such as meteorites, rovers, plasma and more.
These open-door, free-form sessions allow participants to investigate artifacts, observe videos and use
tools while a trained educator fields questions and guides students to their “aha” moments.
Recent Zoom In topics have included:
• Mars Rovers: Program a rover to navigate on the surface of Mars!
• Meteorites: Test rock samples to find which ones came from outer space!
• Astronauts: Perform science experiments in a glove box, just like astronauts on the
International Space Station!
Activity Carts (Offered Daily. Locations vary throughout the building)
Activity carts are relatively short visitor-led demonstrations that focus on one main idea, process, or
skill through inquiry and conversation at stationary carts located in the exhibitions.
Recent activity carts have included:
•Craters
• UV: Detecting the Invisible
• Vacuum: Under Pressure
•Auroras
•Spectroscopy
• Water Detectives
Young Explorers Mondays (Monday, 9:30 am – 1 pm. Locations vary throughout the building)
Groups with children in preschool through 1st grade are invited to join us for special programs
dedicated to our youngest visitors.
Activities include:
• Young Astronaut Training: See what it takes to be an Astronaut!
• Constellation Yoga: Can you make the shapes we see in the stars?
• Story Time Under the Stars: Join us around the camp fire and hear stories under the stars.
• Sensory Station (located in the Curiosity Station): Explore textures, smells, balance and more
by using your senses to make discoveries in the sensory station.
• One World, One Sky: Purchase tickets for this Definiti Theater show at the box offices. Preregistration is required.
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
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Telescope Observing
(Monday, Thursday (except every third Thursday), Friday, and Saturday, 10 am – 1 pm,
Skyline Terrace and Telescope Terrace)
View the Sun safely using Adler’s telescopes with the help of an Adler facilitator. To guarantee
flexibility during your visit, our telescopes are available on a first come, first-served basis, weather
permitting. Telescope observing schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
REGISTERING YOUR SCHOOL
Please note that registration for field trips is required! School groups that come to the Adler
without having registered will be admitted only if there is space available and will be charged
standard retail rates.
REGISTERING A SCHOOL GROUP
Please check school calendars for any potential conflicts and contact your bus company to check
transportation availability before making your reservation.
Making your reservation
Please make your reservation at least two weeks before your earliest preferred visit date. List four possible dates on the
reservation form.
Complete the online field trip reservation form at adlerplanetarium.org/field-trip and be sure to include all teachers, adults,
and students. When you are finished, click SUBMIT to send your request to the Reservations Office. You will receive an
immediate email verification of your reservation request.
Confirming your reservation
Please add [email protected] to your safe-senders list and check your spam filters if you have not received the
confirmation notice after three days. If we are unable to accommodate your request, we will contact you to discuss alternative
dates for your group. Please review your reservation for accuracy (especially arrival/departures times; activities; and lunch
time) and make note of the payment and cancellation policies. Now is a great time to confirm your transportation plans and
begin recruiting chaperones using the chaperone requirements included here and in the confirmation email.
MAKING CHANGES OR CANCELING YOUR RESERVATION
Please contact us as soon as any change needs to be made to your reservation. Changes will be
accommodated on a space-available basis.
If you need to cancel, you must do so in writing 14 days or more prior to your visit date to receive a refund (less $50 processing
fee). School groups with any increased numbers are subject to additional admission and program fees that must be paid
immediately, pending availability. Cancellation less than 14 days out are not eligible for a refund.
hesitate to contact us at 312.294.0364
QUESTIONS? Don’t
or [email protected]
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
5
VISITING THE PLANETARIUM
BUS PARKING
Chicago Police Department and Chicago Transit Authority regulations require that all buses drop off and pick up on the
North side of the Adler. Buses cannot stage pick-ups or drop-offs on the South side or in front of the Adler. Look for our bus
drop-off/pick-up loading zone signs. Motorcoaches are not permitted to park in the lot adjacent to the Adler. Information on
motorcoach parking can be found at choosechicago.com/travel-professionals/.
Parking for individual cars and school buses is available in the lot adjacent to the Adler Planetarium near the South Entrance.
The fee for school-bus parking starts at $35, but can be raised by Soldier Field if a special event is taking place on Museum
Campus. Parking in the Adler lot is cash or credit card only and not included in your Adler group visit fees. All parking
on Museum Campus is managed by Soldier Field. For more information on pricing and Museum Campus events, visit
soldierfieldparking.com or call 312.235.7701.
ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN
Groups should plan to arrive at the Adler at their designated arrival time and at least 30 minutes before the first scheduled show
or program. Groups should remain on their buses until an Adler representative has greeted them and given them directions for
their visit. Groups should enter the museum at the South Entrance to the right of the Main Entrance on the ground level. Please
check in with your group name. Groups arriving at the Adler with higher numbers of adults and children than listed on their
reservations are subject to additional admission fees and will be included in any activities based on availability.
EATING LUNCH
Limited lunch space is available and will be assigned during your reservation process. If you need space to eat lunch and a time has
not been assigned to your group, please call 312.294.0364. If lunch space is unavailable or you plan to eat elsewhere, leave these
items on the bus—the museum has no space to store them. School groups planning to buy lunch at Café Galileo’s must notify the
Café Manager at 312.322.0310. Only groups with pre-registrations will be allowed into the café.
If you reserved space during registration for your group to eat lunch inside the Adler, please label and consolidate all lunches
in a large bag, box or cooler before you arrive at the museum. All lunches should be removed from backpacks. Lunches will be
stored, but not refrigerated. Lunch times are assigned and each group is allowed 20 minutes to eat.
COATS AND BACKPACKS
There are limited lockers available for rent at $1–$2. Locker tokens can be purchased at the box office. However, we
recommend leaving coats and bags on the bus.
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
6
SELECTING CHAPERONES
To make the most of your visit and to help us create the best learning environment for all Adler
Planetarium guests, we ask that you observe the following guidelines:
• Chaperones are adults ages 21 and over and are responsible for all students in your group and their behavior while
visiting. You are required to be with your students at all times during visit. This policy applies to groups of all ages,
including high-school students.
• We require at least one chaperone for every seven students for PreK through third grade, and one chaperone for every
10 students for fourth through twelfth grade. However, you are encouraged to bring one chaperone for every four
students at all grade levels. Chaperones will receive complimentary admission and shows with proper ratio. Reservations
that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.
Failure to adequately supervise your group may result in the group being asked to leave.
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
7
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT:
A guide for teachers and chaperones
BUS PARKING
CHAPERONE RESPONSIBILITIES
Chicago Police Department and Chicago Transit Authority
Chaperones should check with the group leader about any
regulations require that all buses drop off and pick up on the
shows, programs or lunch time reservations that have been
north side of the Adler. Buses cannot stage pickups or drop-
made for students. Please arrive at those events five minutes
offs on the south side or in front of the Adler. Look for our bus
before scheduled time or 10 minutes before show time. Late
drop-off/pick-up loading zone signs. Motorcoaches are not
arrivals for shows cannot be seated. If you are late for an
permitted to park in the lot adjacent to the Adler. Information
educational program or lunch, we may not be able to extend
on motorcoach parking can be found at choosechicago.com/
or reschedule due to space limitations.
travel-professionals/.
Parking for individual cars and school buses is available in the
MANAGING STUDENT BEHAVIOR
lot adjacent to the Adler Planetarium near the south entrance.
To make everyone’s visit to the Adler Planetarium as enjoyable
The fee for school-bus parking can be raised by Soldier Field
as possible, we’d ask that you remind your students of the
if a special event is taking place on Museum Campus. Parking
following prior to your visit:
in the Adler lot is cash or credit card only and not included in
your Adler group visit fees. All parking on Museum Campus is
managed by Standard Parking. For more information on
pricing and Museum Campus events, visit soldierfieldparking.
com, or call 312.235.7701.
• Be considerate of other guests
• Walking and talking are appropriate, while running and
shouting are not
• Food, drinks, and gum are not allowed anywhere in the
museum except the designated eating areas
• Unless indicated, please do not touch or climb on exhibits
ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN
and displays
School groups should plan to arrive at the Adler at their
designated arrival time and at least 30 minutes before the
first scheduled show or program. School groups should
remain on their buses until an Adler representative has
greeted them and given them directions for their visit.
• When entering a show, please silence any cell phones, or
other electronics
• Stay to one side when using the stairs
• Stay with your group
• Have fun and enjoy your visit!
At this time tickets and wristbands will be distributed as
needed. Chaperones guidebooks will be provided to assist
with your visit. School groups should enter the museum at
the South Entrance on the ground level, to the right of the
Failure to adequately supervise your group
may result in the group being asked to leave.
Main Entrance. Please check in with the school name on
your reservation. School groups arriving at the Adler with
higher numbers of adults and children than listed on their
reservations are subject to additional admission fees and will
be included in any activities based on availability.
PLEASE SHARE THIS PAGE
WITH YOUR CHAPERONES!
ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO
SCHOOL GROUPS GUIDEBOOK
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